Meadows Blog

13 Comments

1. Steep and Deep

   October 31, 2011

   Looking forward to a good winter. Cannot wait for the deep base, cold temps, and runs in the WHITE ROOM! My fingers are crossed the predictions are close to accurate!!!
   
   Meadows: Eyes, fingers and ski tips all crossed for a snowy winter!

2. AL

   October 31, 2011

   Hey Meadows, Can I turn in my liability release form for my season pass at the Ski Fever Expo? Thanks
   
   Also, you guys should consider renting out avy kits (pack,shovel,probe, and transceiver) to those who venture into double blacks but don't want to commit to buying $500 worth of gear. I love to ski your terrain but have never done any double blacks due to lack of gear and knowledge. Meadows is very popular because the make shredding accessible to everyone-from beginners to experts. This would make Meadows even more popular and also promote safety. Thanks for taking the time to read this! P.F.S!
   
   Meadows: Great post - yes you can turn in the liability release at the ski show. When you're there, stop by our retail booth to talk to Nate about back country gear, he may have some solutions for you. See you at the show!

3. Tina Torres

   October 31, 2011

   I thought La Nina means WARM AND WET??? Is that only for the valley and not the mountains?
   
   Meadows: Nope. La Nina generally brings cooler and wetter winters to the Northwest. In the mountains that translate to deeper snow packs. So it should be a good season!
   

4. k2skier

   November 2, 2011

   The load tests went well on STE I'm assuming?
   Wish I woulda heard/read about the first chair contest sooner...:(
   
   Meadows: Load test went well. The first chair contest was launched on our Facebook page and featured in our eNews blasts. We'll be announcing winners shortly (many very good entries)!

5. The Freeman

   November 2, 2011

   Hey Mr. Meadows,
   
   I've been following the progress of the new stadium express and am very excited, of course. However, I am wondering if it will really make the overall experience at meadows better. I say this because generally downhill capacity is regulated by the uphill capacity of the lifts. Lift lines can get pretty bad at Mt. Hood Express, Shooting Star, and HRM, but by adding another lift, won't you just be redistributing the crows to the runs instead of the lift lines? Meadows is a very popular resort, and, especially during the holidays, things can get a bit crazy. Isn't there any safety concerns about overcrowding on the runs? Have you guys contemplated or calculated the downhill capacity? It may not have been a concern before, but as more lifts are added it seems like it should be taken into consideration.
   
   Meadows: Thanks for the post. Mt. Hood Meadows is in the uphill transportation business. But our focus is the overall hospitality and recreational experience our guests enjoy. We study traffic patterns within our permit area, both uphill and downhill. We believe the Stadium Express will improve traffic flow on the mountain, particularly by offering direct access to the popular north side terrain, taking the pressure off of the current high traffic corridor on North Canyon. We will continue to inform guests of lift status with signage at the resort and on our web page which will also regulate traffic flow. And as always we urge our guests to ride responsibly, be aware of others and "Live the Code" - the rules of the responsibility code to make a day (or night) on the mountain more enjoyable for everyone.
   

6. Ihopethisisnottrue

   November 2, 2011

   Snowboard Mag has posted that Meadows will not open until 12/14, making the latest resort to open in the West. Please tell us this isn't true! If it is please explain, and be prepared opening day with riot police!! Fingers crossed for a mis print.
   
   Meadows: We haven't set an opening date - as we will open as soon as snow allows. That's usually before Thanksgiving. Last season it was November 20 and the previous season it was November 11. We've contacted Snowboardmag.com to update our opening date. We've also contacted Mother Nature about some early snow!

7. Harrison

   November 5, 2011

   Dear Mount Hood Meadows,
   
   Can't wait for the ski season to start. However, La Nina does mean a colder winter, in the Spanish language it means "the girl". Hope you're enjoying your winter and I can't wait to start skiing.
   
   Meadows: Thanks for the post. You are correct - that's why George Taylor chose "My Girl" to sing his La Nina song to. Generally, La Nina brings cooler and wetter weather to the Northwest, with above average snowpack in the Cascades.

8. Newby Snbdr

   November 5, 2011

   If these guys were anywhere close to accurate they'd have a job in Vegas......
   
   Meadows: Vegas doesn't require accurate weathermen the weather doesn't change much =0} What is most significant about this year's winter weather conference was the unanimous forecasting of La Nina and an above average snow year for the Cascades. Hopefully they're right!

9. Mak

   November 6, 2011

   This is great to hear! About when do you guys think you'll be open for the season?
   
   Meadows: As soon as we have enough snow. Hoping for a pre-Thanksgiving opening so do your snow dance!

10. Silly Goat

    November 9, 2011

    I just wanted to respond to Al, and to make a suggestion of my own.
    
    Al's suggestion of renting out Avy gear is fine I suppose, but the knowledge to use the equipment and recognize the signs should be a pre-requisite. As well as having a buddy or 2 with the same knowledge and equipment. Personally the lack of any of the above kept me away from the gated access terrain a lot of days last year. I have taken care of most of that. Avy 1 class here I come.
    
    On to my suggestion. There is a distinct lack of beacon practice areas in our area. It would be nice to see Meadows partner with a company such as BCA to make a beacon practice facility a reality. Especially since Meadows has signage suggesting Beacon use for a lot of the terrain within the permit area, and even enforces it when Superbowl opens. This would be a great asset for Mt. Hood as a whole, and could even strengthen the tenuous relationship Meadows has with the back country crowd. Not to mention it would be nice for Patrol to have a place to practice their skills.
    
    I know our patrol is world class, and do great Avy control. But as we have seen there are circumstances outside the control of even the most skilled. There have certainly been some incidents in the past couple of years that will encourage me to wear my beacon at all times.
    
    Meadows: Thanks for the suggestion regarding beacon practice. We'll discuss it with patrol. And that's great insight regarding renting equipment without someone having the knowledge to use it, or a buddy to use it with. Kind of like renting someone a cape and letting them go bullfight =0}

11. Snowman

    November 10, 2011

    I just wanted to add me two cents to Silliy Goats thoughts on avy training. It would be a great service for Meadows to do. I own a beacon, shovel and probe but don't everything that I should know about their usage. Plus it would give people a chance to meet other people who want to ski restricted areas such as Superbowl but can't at present because they don't know others. (I am a recent transplant from New England) That restriction is wise but holds me back from skiing Superbowl.
    
    Of course, we need Mother Nature to provide the snow so people can ski Superbowl. In fact, Mother Nature needs to start dumping snow on Meadows soon so it can open. I am itching to get out on the mountain. My pass is just sitting in my wallet collecting dust!
    
    Meadows: Thanks for the post. We're itching as well - hopefully this storm will provide relief from the itch!

12. Nick

    November 16, 2011

    how many inches of snow do we need before opening ?
    
    Meadows: Apparently - 19! We're opening (on a limited basis) Saturday, hopefully with more snow than we have right now. Keep the snow dances going!

13. Bob Schmidt

    December 12, 2011

    Could Meadows should recheck with the "forecasters" and see if it's still going to be a good year.....?
    
    Meadows: Checked, rechecked and re-rechecked. Still a La Nina - still looking for above average snowfall. This ridge of high pressure is trumping the longer term forecast, but this is the Northwest - have faith that the prevailing stormy winter weather pattern will prevail.